Saturday, May 19, 2007

Sweet Tea - A Southern Tradition

I love sweet tea. It is soothing and refreshing and it goes with any meal. And what's even better, studies now show that black tea has many health benefits. Brewed tea, both black and green, contains 150-190 mg of flavonoids per cup. Flavonoids are potent antioxidants, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers, and boost the body's immune system.

My favorite tea is made by Red Diamond. Founded in 1906, Red Diamond Coffee & Tea is one of the three oldest coffee and tea companies in the nation that has been continuously operated by members of the same family, for four generations. It is really good tea, and I love to support local businesses. If Red Diamond is not available in your area, Luzianne is good, too, and my second favorite. I buy the quart size tea bags. I have made 3-4 gallons of tea each week since I've been married, which has been almost 28 years. That means I've made over 5,800 gallons of tea. Too bad there's not some kind of prize for that.

Sweet Tea

8 cups water

2 quart size tea bags

1-1/2 cups sugar

Bring water to boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat, place teabags in water and cover. Allow to steep for at least 30 minutes, but longer is fine. Remove tea bags. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Pour into a gallon-sized pitcher and fill the pitcher the rest of the way with water. Stir and chill.

Bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil:

Add tea bags:

Cover and steep.

It tastes best after it has chilled for a few hours, and it is wonderful with lemon. If you have never had sweet tea before, try it. It will change your life.